Protective enclosure for encasing an electronic device

ABSTRACT

A protective enclosure for an electronic device includes a first case portion that may be adapted to surround at least a portion of a top device portion and a second case portion that may be adapted to surround at least a portion of a bottom device portion. The protective enclosure may also include a first hinge member coupled to a portion of the first case portion and a portion of the second case portion, and the first hinge member may pivot about a first hinge axis that is coaxially aligned with or parallel to a device hinge axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, and is acontinuation of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/107,534 filed Aug.21, 2018, entitled “Protective Enclosure for Encasing an ElectronicDevice”, which is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/003,932 filed Jun. 8, 2018, entitled “Protective Enclosure forEncasing an Electronic Device”, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/811,310 filed Nov. 13, 2017, entitled“Protective Enclosure for Encasing an Electronic Device”, which claimsthe benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/421,478 filed on Nov. 14, 2016, the contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to a protective enclosure forprotecting one or more objects, such as an object in need of protectionfrom the elements, mishandling, and/or other mistreatment.

BACKGROUND

Rain, dirt, dust, mud, snow, and water in all of its forms can bedamaging to various objects. Additionally, objects that are fragile orotherwise breakable can be damaged by mistreatment and/or otherinappropriate handling, such as by dropping. It is, therefore, useful tohave a protective enclosure within which an object in need of protectionmay be housed so as to protect it from inclement conditions,mistreatment, and/or inappropriate handling. Types of objects in need ofsuch protection are electronic devices and/or the components thereof,precious items, perishable entities, and the like.

With respect to electronic devices, such devices are well known andwidely used. For instance, a mobile telephone or tablet computer areelectronic devices that are convenient tools that allow people tocommunicate with one another while on the go and away from traditionaltelephone landlines or internet connections. For instance, mobiledevices allow people to communicate via voice, text message, shortmessage service (SMS), instant messaging (IM), and the like. Other suchportable devices include computers, personal digital assistants,smartphones, electronic digital readers, electronic game devices, videorecorders, cameras, and the like. While these devices may be portableand handy to use, they suffer from some drawbacks. For example, they areoften expensive and contain fragile electronic components that make themprone to damage due to inclement weather and/or mishandling.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a mechanism whereby anobject, such as a portable device, for instance, an electronic deviceand/or the components thereof, may be protected from inclement weatherand/or errant handling and/or other damage that may result fromcontacting a fluid, such as water, dirt, dust, mud, snow, and the like.The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and system for aprotective enclosure or for encasing an object, such as a device and/orthe components thereof in a manner that offers protection for the devicefrom adverse environmental conditions, inclement weather, mishandlingand/or damage, such as from contacting a fluid such as water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B are various views of an embodiment of a protectiveenclosure for an electronic device;

FIG. 4 is a view of an embodiment of a protective enclosure for anelectronic device;

FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B are various views of an embodiment of a protectiveenclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 7 to 9 are various views of an embodiment of a protectiveenclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 10, 11, 12A and 12B are various views of an embodiment of aprotective enclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 13, 14, 15A and 15B are various views of an embodiment of aprotective enclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19A, 19B, and 19C are various views of an embodimentof a protective enclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 20, 21, 22, 23A, 23B, and 23C are various views of an embodimentof a protective enclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 24, 25, 26, 27A, 27B, and 27C are various views of an embodimentof a protective enclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 28, 29, 30, 31A, 31B, and 31C are various views of an embodimentof a protective enclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 32, 33, 34, 35A, 35B, and 35C are various views of an embodimentof a protective enclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 36 to 38 are various views of an embodiment of a protectiveenclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 39 to 41 are various views of an embodiment of a protectiveenclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 42 and 43 are various views of an embodiment of a protectiveenclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 44 and 45 are various views of an embodiment of a protectiveenclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 46A, 46B, and 46C are various views of an embodiment of aprotective enclosure for an electronic device;

FIGS. 47A and 47B are various views of an embodiment of a protectiveenclosure for an electronic device; and

FIGS. 48A, 48B, and 48C are various views of an embodiment of aprotective enclosure for an electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter described herein relates generally to a housing, orprotective enclosure, for encasing an object. It is to be understoodthat although the singular “object” is used herein, the term encompassesone or more objects. The object or objects may be any object that iscapable of being fit within the protective enclosure and/or in need ofprotecting from one or more adverse environmental conditions, inclementweather, mishandling and/or damage, such as damage from contacting aliquid, such as water, or damage from dropping. The protective enclosuremay be of any appropriate size and dimension so long as it is capable ofenclosing the object and protecting it, for instance, from adverseenvironmental conditions and/or rough treatment. The object may befabricated, e.g., a textile; manufactured; e.g., an electronic ormechanical device; synthesized; naturally occurring; processed;perishable, e.g., a food product; a precious item; and the like. Theobject may be a single object, like an electronic device, or may be aplurality of objects, such as components that make up an electronicdevice.

The protective enclosure may be in the form of any typical containerknown and used in the art for containing the particular object. Forexample, the protective enclosure may be a case configured for encasinga device, such as an electronic device, that may be, for example, amobile telephone device, a mobile computing device, and/or a smartphone. The electronic device may have an interactive screen, such as atouch screen. In some instances, the protective enclosure may fit overat least a portion of an existing housing of the electronic device. Inother instances, the protective enclosure is part of a device, such asan electronic device, which encloses or encases various components ofthe electronic device. For example, the protective enclosure may be theprotective enclosure of a mobile device, or other electronic device,that encases the electronic components of the mobile telephone device(or other electronic device).

In certain embodiments two or more portions of the protective enclosureare configured for being coupled together so as to from a waterproofseal and/or shockproof structure. By a water-resistant or waterproofseal, it is meant that a seal is formed by the coupling of the topmember with the bottom member in which the seal does not substantiallyallow the passage of liquid, e.g., water, from one side of theprotective enclosure (e.g., outside of or exterior to the protectiveenclosure) to the other side of the protective enclosure (e.g., insideof or in an interior of the protective enclosure). By a shock resistantor shockproof structure, it is meant that one or more members of theprotective enclosure functions to reduce the amount of or change thecharacteristics of a mechanical load imparted on the protective case soas to reduce the probability of damage to the particular object.

It is to be understood that although a particular embodiment ispresented herein, such as a protective enclosure for encasing theelectronic device, such as a smart phone, therein, the object to behoused may be any of a number of different objects, as described above,and the protective enclosure may, therefore, have a number of differentshapes, sizes, and configurations without departing from the nature ofthe disclosure. For instance, as depicted herein below, the protectiveenclosure may include two separate members, e.g., separate individualtop and bottom members, that are configured for being removably coupledtogether so as to surround an electronic device and thereby encase theelectronic device. In certain instances (not shown), the top and bottommembers may not be separate members, but rather may be members that arejoined, for instance, by a common hinge element, or a single memberconfigured for being folded upon itself and thereby forming theprotective enclosure. Hence, the scope of the protective enclosures andsystems described herein with respect to the particular embodiments setforth in reference to the figures is not intended to be unduly limiting.

Accordingly, FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of aprotective enclosure 10 that may be adapted to at least partiallyenclose an electronic device 12. The electronic device 12 may be afoldable device that may include a top device portion 14 and a bottomdevice portion 16, and the top device portion 14 and the bottom deviceportion 16 may be pivotably displaceable about a device hinge axis 18from or between an open first position (illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2)and a closed second position (illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B).

In use, the electronic device 12 may be utilized in any of severalconfigurations, including a configuration in which the device hinge axis18 is oriented horizontally relative to a user, and the top deviceportion 14 may be on a top side of the device hinge axis 18 and thebottom device portion 16 may be on a bottom side of the device hingeaxis 18 (or vice versa). Alternatively (or additionally), the electronicdevice 12 may be viewed in a configuration in which the device hingeaxis 18 is orientated vertically relative to a user, and the top deviceportion 14 may be on a left side of the device hinge axis 18 and thebottom device portion 16 may be on a right side of the device hinge axis18 (or vice versa).

More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates an inner view of the electronicdevice 12 within an embodiment of protective enclosure 10 with theelectronic device 12 in the open first position. FIG. 2 illustrates anouter view of the electronic device 12 within the embodiment of theprotective enclosure 10 of FIG. 1 with the electronic device 12 in theopen first position. FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of the electronicdevice 12 within the embodiment of the protective enclosure 10 of FIG. 1with the electronic device 12 in the closed second position. FIG. 3Billustrates a front view of the electronic device 12 within theembodiment of the protective enclosure 10 of FIG. 1 with the electronicdevice 12 in the closed second position.

The top device portion 14 and the bottom device portion 16 may bepivotably coupled by a device hinge (not shown). The top device portion14 may extend (or generally extend) along a top device axis 17 and thebottom device portion 16 may extend (or generally extend) along a bottomdevice axis 19, and the top device axis 17 and the bottom device axis 19may be normal to the device hinge axis 18. In the open first position,the top device axis 17 and the bottom device axis 19 may be co-axiallyaligned or may form an obtuse angle when viewed along the device hingeaxis 18. In the closed second position illustrated in FIG. 3A, the topdevice axis 17 and the bottom device axis 19 may be parallel and/oroffset or may form an acute angle when viewed along the device hingeaxis 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the electronic device 12 may include an innersurface 20 of the top device portion 14 and an inner surface 22 of thebottom device portion 16. The inner surface 20 of the top device portion14 may be defined (or at least partially defined) by a top innerperimeter edge 21 (which is covered or obscured in FIG. 1 by theprotective enclosure 10 but would be identifiable to one having ordinaryskill in the art) and the inner surface 22 of the bottom device portion16 may be defined (or at least partially defined) by a bottom innerperimeter edge 23 (which is covered or obscured in FIG. 1 by theprotective enclosure 10 but would be identifiable to one having ordinaryskill in the art). At least a portion of the inner surface 20 of the topdevice portion 14 may be or include a top inner device display 24 and atleast a portion of the inner surface 22 of the bottom device portion 16may be a bottom inner device display 26. When the electronic device isin the open first position, the top inner device display 24 and thebottom inner device display 26 may cooperate to define at least one maininner device display 28. When the electronic device 12 is in the closedsecond position, all or a portion of the top inner device display 24 maybe adjacent to or in contact with all or a portion of the bottom innerdevice display 26. In some cases, electronic device 12 may include abendable or foldable display which bends or folds when electronic device12 is transitioned between various positions or configurations.

The portion of the inner surface 20 of the top device portion 14 thatmay correspond to the top inner device display 24 may be planar (orsubstantially planar) and the portion of the inner surface 22 of thebottom device portion 16 that may correspond to the bottom inner devicedisplay 26 may be planar (or substantially planar), and the portion ofthe inner surface 20 of the top device portion 14 (e.g., the top innerdevice display 24) and the portion of the inner surface 22 of the bottomdevice portion 16 (e.g., the bottom inner device display 26) may beco-planar (or substantially co-planar) in the first open position suchthat the inner main device display 24 is planar (or substantiallyplanar) in the open first position.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the electronic device 12 may include an outersurface 30 of the top device portion 14 and the outer surface 30 may beopposite to the inner surface 20 of the top device portion 14. Theelectronic device 12 may also include an outer surface 32 of the bottomdevice portion 16 and the outer surface 30 may be opposite to the innersurface 22 of the bottom device portion 16. The outer surface 30 of thetop device portion 14 may be defined (or at least partially defined) bya top outer perimeter edge 31 (which is covered or obscured in FIG. 2 bythe protective enclosure 10 but would be identifiable to one havingordinary skill in the art) and the outer surface 32 of the bottom deviceportion 16 may be defined (or at least partially defined) by a bottomouter perimeter edge 33 (which is covered or obscured in FIG. 2 by theprotective enclosure 10 but would be identifiable to one having ordinaryskill in the art).

One or both of the outer surface 30 of the top device portion 14 and theouter surface 32 of the bottom device portion 16 may have an outerdevice display 34. One or both of the outer surface 30 of the top deviceportion 14 and the outer surface 32 of the bottom device portion 16 mayalso have a camera 36 and a flash 38. For example, in the embodiment ofthe electronic device 12 illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer surface 30 ofthe top device portion 14 includes the outer device display 34, thecamera 36, and the flash 38. Any number of additional displays and/oradditional control and/or audio features are contemplated on any portionor combination of portions of the electronic device 12.

Turning to a first embodiment of the protective enclosure 10 in moredetail, FIG. 1 illustrates a first case portion 40 that may be adaptedto surround at least a portion of the top device portion 14 and a secondcase portion 42 that may be adapted to surround at least a portion ofthe bottom device portion 16. The protective enclosure 10 may alsoinclude a first hinge member 44 a coupled to a portion of the first caseportion 40 and a portion of the second case portion 42, the first hingemember 44 a pivoting (or being adapted to pivot) about a first hingeaxis 46 that is coaxially aligned with or parallel to the device hingeaxis 18. So configured, the protective enclosure 10 may enclose—andtherefore protect—a portion of the top device portion 14 and the bottomdevice portion 16 when the electronic device 12 is in the open firstposition. In some embodiments, the protective enclosure 10 may be shockresistant and/or water resistant (or waterproof). Further, when the topdevice portion 14 and the bottom device portion 16 are pivoted about thedevice hinge axis 18 such that the electronic device 12 is in the closedsecond position, the first case portion 40 and the second case portion42 may pivot about the first hinge axis 46 to remain in protectiveengagement with the electronic device 12. In addition, various controlsof the electronic device 12 are engageable and/or accessible when theelectronic device 12 is in the open first position or the closed secondposition. A control of electronic device 12 may be actuated by a userthrough a hole or opening in any of the components of protectiveenclosure 10 and/or may be actuated by transmission of a force through aflexible portion of protective enclosure 10 that is positioned near thecontrol.

The first case portion 40 of the protective enclosure 10 may have orinclude a first inner case portion 48 that surrounds (or is adapted tosurround) at least a portion of the inner surface 20 of the top deviceportion 14. The first inner case portion 48 may extend (or generallyextend) along the top device axis 17 from a first end 52 to a second end54 that is opposite the first end 52 and that may be at or adjacent tothe device hinge axis 18 and/or the first hinge axis 46. In someembodiments, the first inner case portion 48 may have (or may be atleast partially defined by) a first inner perimeter edge 49 that maygenerally correspond in shape to the top inner perimeter edge 21 thatdefines the inner surface 20 of the top device portion 14.

In some embodiments, the first inner case portion 48 may extend around(or around portions of) the first inner perimeter edge 49 along a firstlateral segment 80 that extends generally parallel to the top deviceaxis 17, a second lateral segment 81 that is offset from the firstlateral segment 80 and that extends generally parallel to the top deviceaxis 17, and an upper segment 82 that extends normal to the top deviceaxis 17 and between an end of the first lateral segment 80 and an end ofthe second lateral segment 81. The first lateral segment 80, the secondlateral segment 81, and the upper segment 82 cooperate to form a frameor window surrounding the top inner device display 24 of the top deviceportion 14. The frame or window may also allow access to (e.g., providecut outs, contoured portions, etc.) to audio, video, and/or othercontrol features on or adjacent to the inner surface 20 of the topdevice portion 14. In other embodiments (not shown), the first innercase portion 48 may include a transparent portion that extends acrossthe top inner device display 24 that is adapted to align or overlap withor cover at least a portion of the top inner device display 24 toprotect the top inner device display 24.

The first inner case portion 48 may include any material or combinationof materials. In some embodiments, the first inner case portion 48 mayinclude an opaque (or transparent or semi-transparent) material that maybe rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, or semi-flexible to provide protectionto the inner surface 20 of the top device portion 14. Any portion of thefirst inner case portion 48 may include a cushion portion to provideprotection to the electronic device 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first case portion 40 may also have afirst outer case portion 50 that surrounds (or is adapted to surround)at least a portion of the outer surface 30 of the top device portion 14.The first outer case portion 50 may extend (or generally extend) alongthe top device axis 17 from a first end 56 to a second end 58 that isopposite the first end 56 and that may be at or adjacent to the devicehinge axis 18 and/or the first hinge axis 46. In some embodiments, thefirst outer case portion 50 may have (or may be at least partiallydefined by) a first outer perimeter edge 51 that may generallycorrespond in shape to the top outer perimeter edge 31 that defines theouter surface 30 of the top device portion 14. The first outer perimeteredge 51 may also correspond in shape to the first inner perimeter edge49 when viewed normal to the top device axis 17 and/or the device hingeaxis 18.

The first outer case portion 50 may include any material or combinationof materials. For example, the first outer case portion 50 may include afirst transparent portion 55 that is adapted to align or overlap with orcover at least a portion of the outer device display 34. In someembodiments, the first outer case portion 50 may also include a secondtransparent portion 57 that is adapted to align or overlap with or coverat least a portion of the camera 36 and/or flash 38. In someembodiments, the first transparent portion 55 and/or the secondtransparent portion 57 may be a transparent membrane that may be madefrom or comprise a transparent material or semi-transparent material. Insome embodiments, the first transparent portion 55 and/or the secondtransparent portion 57 may be apertures or cut-aways in the first outercase portion 50. In some embodiments, the first outer case portion 50may include an opaque (or transparent or semi-transparent) material thatextends from or adjacent to the outer device display 34 to the firstouter perimeter edge 51. Any portion of the first outer case portion 50(such as a portion that extends along at least a portion of the firstouter perimeter edge 51) may include a cushion portion to provideprotection to the electronic device 12. The first outer case portion 50(or portions of the first outer case portion 50) may be rigid or may beflexible to provide protection to the outer surface 30 of the top deviceportion 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second case portion 42 of the protectiveenclosure 10 may have or include a second inner case portion 60 thatsurrounds (or is adapted to surround) at least a portion of the innersurface 22 of the bottom device portion 16. The second inner caseportion 60 may extend (or generally extend) along the bottom device axis19 from a first end 62 to a second end 64 that is opposite the first end62 and that may be at or adjacent to the device hinge axis 18 and/or thefirst hinge axis 46. In some embodiments, the second inner case portion60 may have (or may be at least partially defined by) a second innerperimeter edge 65 that may generally correspond in shape to the bottominner perimeter edge 23 that defines the inner surface 22 of the bottomdevice portion 16.

The second end 64 (or a portion of the second end 64) may be coupled toor integrally formed with the second end 54 (or a portion of the secondend 54) of the first inner case portion 48. However, in someembodiments, the second end 64 (or a portion of the second end 64) maybe spaced from the second end 54 (or a portion of the second end 54) ofthe first inner case portion 48.

In some embodiments, the second inner case portion 60 may extend around(or around portions of) the first inner perimeter edge 49 along a firstlateral segment 83 that extends generally parallel to the top deviceaxis 17, a second lateral segment 84 that is offset from the firstlateral segment 83 and that extends generally parallel to the top deviceaxis 17, and a lower segment 85 that extends normal to the top deviceaxis 17 and between an end of the first lateral segment 83 and an end ofthe second lateral segment 84. The first lateral segment 83, the secondlateral segment 84, and the lower segment 85 cooperate to form a frameor window surrounding the bottom inner device display 26 of the bottomdevice portion 16. The frame or window may also allow access to (e.g.,provide cut outs, contoured portions, etc.) to audio, video, and/orother control features on or adjacent to the inner surface 22 of thebottom device portion 16. In some embodiments, the first lateral segment83, the second lateral segment 84, and the lower segment 85 of thesecond inner case portion 60 and the first lateral segment 80, thesecond lateral segment 81, and the upper segment 82 of the first innercase portion 48 may cooperate to form a frame or window surrounding themain inner device display 28 of the electronic device portion 12. Inother embodiments (not shown), the second inner case portion 60 mayinclude a transparent portion that extends across the bottom innerdevice display 26 that is adapted to align or overlap with or cover atleast a portion of the bottom inner device display 26 to protect the topbottom inner device display 26.

The second inner case portion 60 may include any material or combinationof materials. In some embodiments, the second inner case portion 60 mayinclude an opaque (or transparent or semi-transparent) material that maybe rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, or semi-flexible to provide protectionto the inner surface 22 of the bottom device portion 16. Any portion ofthe second inner case portion 60 may include a cushion portion toprovide protection to the electronic device 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the second case portion 42 may also have asecond outer case portion 68 that surrounds (or is adapted to surround)at least a portion of the outer surface 32 of the bottom device portion16. The second outer case portion 68 may extend (or generally extend)along the bottom device axis 19 from a first end 69 to a second end 70that is opposite the first end 69 and that may be at or adjacent to thedevice hinge axis 18 and/or the first hinge axis 46. In someembodiments, the second outer case portion 68 may have (or may be atleast partially defined by) a second outer perimeter edge 71 that maygenerally correspond in shape to the bottom outer perimeter edge 33 thatdefines the outer surface 32 of the bottom device portion 16. The secondouter perimeter edge 71 may also correspond in shape to the second innerperimeter edge 65 when viewed normal to the bottom device axis 19 and/orthe device hinge axis 18.

The second outer case portion 68 may include any material or combinationof materials. For example, the second outer case portion 68 may includean opaque (or transparent or semi-transparent) material, and any portionof the second outer case portion 68 (such as a portion that extendsalong at least a portion of the second outer perimeter edge 71) mayinclude a cushion portion to provide protection to the electronic device12. The second outer case portion 68 (or portions of the second outercase portion 68) may be rigid or may be flexible to provide protectionto the outer surface 32 of the bottom device portion 16.

The second end 70 (or a portion of the second end 70) of the secondouter case portion 68 may be spaced from the second end 58 (or a portionof the second end 58) of the first outer case portion 50 such that thefirst outer perimeter edge 51 includes a bottom edge 72 (that extendsalong or adjacent to the second end 58 of the first outer case portion50) and the second outer perimeter edge 51 includes a top edge 73 (thatextends along or adjacent to the second end 70 of the second outer caseportion 52).

In some embodiments, the top device portion 14 of the electronic device12 may be inserted through or between the gap between the top edge 73 ofthe second outer case portion 68 and the bottom edge 72 of the firstouter case portion 50. Accordingly, the top device portion 14 isdisposed in a “pocket” formed by the first inner case portion 48 and thefirst outer case portion 50. Also (or alternatively), the bottom deviceportion 16 of the electronic device 12 may be inserted through orbetween the gap between the top edge 73 of the second outer case portion52 and the bottom edge 72 of the first outer case portion 50.Accordingly, the bottom device portion 16 is disposed in a “pocket”formed by the second inner case portion 60 and the second outer caseportion 68. In other embodiments, the first inner case portion 48 may beflexible and may be pulled or stretched over corresponding portions ofthe top inner perimeter edge 21 of the top device portion 14 and/or thesecond inner case portion 60 may be flexible and may be pulled overcorresponding portions of the bottom inner perimeter edge 23 of thebottom device portion 16. In other embodiments (not shown), the secondend 70 (or a portion of the second end 70) of the second outer caseportion 68 may be may be coupled to or integrally formed with the secondend 54 (or a portion of the second end 54) of the first inner caseportion 48.

The first inner case portion 48 may be secured to the first outer caseportion 50 in any manner known in the art. For example, the first innercase portion 48 may be integrally formed with the first outer caseportion 50. In other examples, the first inner case portion 48 may becoupled to the first outer case portion 50 using stitching, mechanicalfasteners, adhesives, co-molding, and/or ultrasonic welding, forexample. In still further examples, the first inner case portion 48 maybe removably secured to the first outer case portion 50 (such as usingsnaps or latches) to form a shell around the top device portion 14. Thesecond inner case portion 60 may be secured to the second outer caseportion 68 in any of these manners.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the protective enclosure 10 may include thefirst hinge member 44 a that may be coupled to (e.g., fixedly secured orremovably secured) a portion of the first case portion 40 and coupled to(e.g., fixedly secured or removably secured) a portion of the secondcase portion 42 to rotatably or pivotably couple the first case portion40 and the second case portion 42. In some embodiments, the first hingemember 44 a may include a first hinge arm 74 a and a second hinge arm 75a, and the first hinge arm 74 a may be coupled to a portion of the firstcase portion 40 and the second hinge arm 75 a may be coupled to aportion of the second case portion 42.

The first hinge arm 74 a may be coupled to any suitable portion of thefirst case portion 40, such as a portion that is at or adjacent to thesecond end 58 of the first outer case portion 50 or that is at oradjacent to the second end 54 of the first inner case portion 48. Insome embodiments, the first hinge arm 74 a may be elongated and may havea first end that may be at or adjacent to the first end 52 of the firstinner case portion 48. In other embodiments, the first end of the firsthinge arm 74 a may be disposed between the first end 52 of the firstinner case portion 48 and the second end 54 of the first inner caseportion 48. The first hinge arm 74 a may have a second end that may beat or adjacent to the second end 54 of the first inner case portion 48.In other embodiments, the second end may be disposed between the firstend 52 of the first inner case portion 48 and the second end 54 of thefirst inner case portion 48. The first hinge arm 74 a may extend in adirection generally parallel to the top device axis 17 and may bedisposed at, adjacent to, or along a first lateral end 78 of the firstcase portion 40, and the first lateral end 78 generally corresponds to(or is adjacent to) the position of the second lateral segment 81 of thefirst inner perimeter edge 49 of the first inner case portion 48.

The second hinge arm 75 a may be coupled to any suitable portion of thesecond case portion 42, such as a portion that is at or adjacent to thesecond end 70 of the second outer case portion 68 or that is at oradjacent to the second end 64 of the second inner case portion 60. Insome embodiments, the second hinge arm 75 a may be elongated and mayhave a first end that may be at or adjacent to the first end 62 of thesecond inner case portion 60. In other embodiments, the first end of thesecond hinge arm 75 a may be disposed between the first end 62 of thesecond inner case portion 60 and the second end 64 of the second innercase portion 60. The second hinge arm 75 a may have a second end thatmay be at or adjacent to the second end 64 of the second inner caseportion 60. In other embodiments, the second end may be disposed betweenthe first end 62 of the second inner case portion 60 and the second end64 of the second inner case portion 60. The second hinge arm 75 a mayextend in a direction generally parallel to the top device axis 17 andmay be disposed at, adjacent to, or along a first lateral end 86 of thesecond case portion 42, and the first lateral end 86 generallycorresponds to (or is adjacent to) the position of the second lateralsegment 84 of the second inner perimeter edge 65 of the second innercase portion 68.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, an end of the first hinge arm 74 a may becoupled to a first end of an intermediary member 89 a (e.g., by a pinand slot mechanism) and an end of the second hinge arm 75 a may becoupled to a second end of the intermediary member 89 a (e.g., by a pinand slot mechanism) to allow for rotation about the device hinge axis 18and the first hinge axis 46. In such an embodiment, the first hinge axis46 may be one or two or more axes that allows rotation of the firsthinge arm 74 a relative to the second hinge arm 75 a. In someembodiments (not shown), the intermediary member 89 a may include aspring (e.g., a spiral-wound spring). In other embodiments (not shown),an end of the first hinge arm 74 a may be directly pivotably coupled toan end of the second hinge arm 75 a such that the first hinge member 44a rotates about the first hinge axis 46. In some examples, protectiveenclosure 10 may include one or more latches or locking mechanisms fortemporarily retaining protective enclosure 10 and electronic device 12in the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the protective enclosure 10 may also includea second hinge member 44 b that may be coupled to (e.g., fixedly securedor removably secured) a portion of the first case portion 40 and coupledto (e.g., fixedly secured or removably secured) a portion of the secondcase portion 42 to rotatably or pivotably couple the first case portion40 and the second case portion 42. In some embodiments, the second hingemember 44 b may include a first hinge arm 74 b and a second hinge arm 75b, and the first hinge arm 74 b may be coupled to a portion of the firstcase portion 40 and the second hinge arm 75 a may be coupled to aportion of the second case portion 42.

The first hinge arm 74 b may be coupled to any suitable portion of thefirst case portion 40, such as a portion that is at or adjacent to thesecond end 58 of the first outer case portion 50 or that is at oradjacent to the second end 54 of the first inner case portion 48. Insome embodiments, the first hinge arm 74 b may be elongated and may havea first end that may be at or adjacent to the first end 52 of the firstinner case portion 48. In other embodiments, the first end may bedisposed between the first end 52 of the first inner case portion 48 andthe second end 54 of the first inner case portion 48. The first hingearm 74 b may have a second end that may be at or adjacent to the secondend 54 of the first inner case portion 48. In other embodiments, thesecond end may be disposed between the first end 52 of the first innercase portion 48 and the second end 54 of the first inner case portion48. The first hinge arm 74 b may extend in a direction generallyparallel to the top device axis 17 and may be disposed at, adjacent to,or along a second lateral end 87 of the first case portion 40, and thesecond lateral end 87 generally corresponds to (or is adjacent to) theposition of the first lateral segment 80 of the first inner perimeteredge 49 of the first inner case portion 48.

The second hinge arm 75 b may be coupled to any suitable portion of thesecond case portion 42, such as a portion that is at or adjacent to thesecond end 70 of the second outer case portion 68 or that is at oradjacent to the second end 64 of the second inner case portion 60. Insome embodiments, the second hinge arm 75 b may be elongated and mayhave a first end that may be at or adjacent to the first end 62 of thesecond inner case portion 60. In other embodiments, the first end may bedisposed between the first end 62 of the second inner case portion 60and the second end 64 of the second inner case portion 60. The secondhinge arm 75 b may have a second end that may be at or adjacent to thesecond end 64 of the second inner case portion 60. In other embodiments,the second end may be disposed between the first end 62 of the secondinner case portion 60 and the second end 64 of the second inner caseportion 60. The second hinge arm 75 b may extend in a directiongenerally parallel to the top device axis 17 and may be disposed at,adjacent to, or along a second lateral end 88 of the second case portion42, and the second lateral end 88 generally corresponds to (or isadjacent to) the position of the first lateral segment 83 of the secondinner perimeter edge 65 of the second inner case portion 68.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an end of the first hinge arm 74 b may becoupled to a first end of an intermediary member 89 b (e.g., by a pinand slot mechanism) and an end of the second hinge arm 75 b may becoupled to a second end of the intermediary member 89 b (e.g., by a pinand slot mechanism) to allow for rotation about the device hinge axis 18and the first hinge axis 46. In such an embodiment, the first hinge axis46 may be one or two or more axes that allows rotation of the firsthinge arm 74 b relative to the second hinge arm 75 b. In someembodiments (not shown), the intermediary member 89 b may include aspring (e.g., a spiral-wound spring). In other embodiments (not shown),an end of the first hinge arm 74 b may be directly pivotably coupled toan end of the second hinge arm 75 b such that the first hinge member 44a rotates about the first hinge axis 46.

FIG. 4 illustrates an inner view of a further embodiment of a protectiveenclosure 100 with the encased electronic device 12 in the open secondposition. The protective enclosure 100 may include any or all of thefeatures, functions, elements, or characteristics of the embodiment ofthe protective enclosure 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3B, and similar oridentical components and elements will have identical reference numbers.Unlike the protective enclosure 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3B, thefirst hinge member 44 a of FIG. 4 extends along an axis that is parallelto (or collinear with) the device hinge axis 18. The first hinge member44 a of FIG. 4 may include any known hinge or mechanism that allows thefirst case portion 40 to pivotably displace relative to the second caseportion 42 when the electronic device 12 pivots between the open firstposition and the closed second position. The first hinge member 44 a ofFIG. 4 may have a first portion coupled to the first case portion 40 anda second portion coupled to the second case portion 42. For example, thefirst portion of the first hinge member 44 a coupled to the first caseportion 40 may include at least one element adapted to receive a hingerod (not shown) and the second portion of the first hinge member 44 acoupled to the second case portion 42 may include at least one elementadapted to receive the hinge rod, and the hinge rod may extend along thefirst hinge axis 46 such that the first case portion 40 pivotablydisplaces relative to the second case portion 42 along an axis of thehinge rod when the electronic device 12 pivots between the open firstposition and the closed second position.

FIG. 5 illustrates an outer view of a further embodiment of a protectiveenclosure 200 with the encased electronic device 12 in the open firstposition. The protective enclosure 200 may include any or all of thefeatures, functions, elements, or characteristics of the embodiment ofthe protective enclosure 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3B, and similar oridentical components and elements will have identical reference numbers.Unlike the protective enclosure 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3B, thefirst hinge member 44 a of the protective enclosure 200 includes aportion 202 of material that extends from the second end 58 of the firstouter case portion 50 to the second end 70 of the second outer caseportion 68. The portion 202 of material may be coupled to the second end58 of the first outer case portion 50 and/or to the second end 70 of thesecond outer case portion 68. In some embodiments, the portion 202 ofmaterial may be integrally and unitarily formed with the second end 58of the first outer case portion 50 and/or with the second end 70 of thesecond outer case portion 68. The portion 202 of material may be asingle, unitary portion of flexible material or may be an assembly oftwo or more elements, portions, or types of flexible and non-flexiblematerials. For example, the portion 202 of material may be two or morehinged segments 204 (e.g., 3 hinged segments), and the hinges may extendin a direction parallel to the device hinge axis 18 and/or the firsthinge axis 46. In this embodiment, the first hinge axis 46 may be anoverall bending axis (or an effective bending axis) of the portion 202of material. In some embodiments, one or more recesses may extend alongall or a part of the portion 202 of material in a direction parallel tothe device hinge axis 18 and/or the first hinge axis 46, and the one ormore recesses may assist the portion 202 of material to bend along thefirst hinge axis 46. In some examples portion 202 of material may be orinclude a living hinge.

FIG. 6A illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the protectiveenclosure 200 of FIG. 5 with the encased electronic device 12 in theclosed position. FIG. 6B illustrates a front view of the embodiment ofthe protective enclosure 200 of FIG. 6 with the encased electronicdevice 12 in the closed position.

FIG. 7 illustrates an outer view of a further embodiment of a protectiveenclosure 300 with the encased electronic device 12 in the open firstposition, and FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the protectiveenclosure 300 with the encased electronic device 12 in the closed secondposition. The protective enclosure 300 may include any or all of thefeatures, functions, elements, or characteristics of any or all of thepreviously disclosed embodiments, such as the embodiment of theprotective enclosure 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3B, and similar oridentical components and elements will have identical reference numbers.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the outer device display 34 on the outersurface 30 of the top device portion 14 of the electronic device 12 mayhave an upper edge 302 that is at or adjacent to an upper edge 304 ofthe outer surface 30 of the top device portion 14. When the electronicdevice 12 is enclosed in the protective enclosure 300, a first windowportion 306 may align with the outer device display 34 to allow theouter device display 34 to be visible. In some embodiments, the firstouter case portion 50 may include a first lateral segment 308 and asecond lateral segment 310 to define lateral edges of the first windowportion 306. Because the upper edge 302 of the outer device display 34is at or adjacent to the upper edge 304 of the outer surface 30 of thetop device portion 14, no portion of the first outer case portion 50 mayextend between a top portion of the first lateral segment 308 and a topportion of the second lateral segment 310.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the first outer case portion 50 may be securedto the first inner case portion 48 to encase or enclose the top deviceportion 14 of the electronic device 12. The first outer case portion 50may be secured to the first inner case portion 48 in any suitablemanner. For example, the first outer case portion 50 may have a firstrecess 312 disposed at or adjacent to the first lateral segment 308 anda second recess 314 disposed at or adjacent to the second lateralsegment 310. The first outer case portion 50 may be displaced over theouter surface 30 of the top device portion 14 of the electronic device12 in a direction along the top device axis 17 until the bottom edge 72of the first outer case portion 50 is adjacent to or at the device hingeaxis 18. In such a position, a first wing portion 316 of the first innercase portion 48 will be disposed in the first recess 312 and a secondwing portion 318 of the first inner case portion 48 will be disposed inthe second recess 314. The first wing portion 316 and the second wingportion 318 may extend upwards (e.g., normal to the inner surface 20 ofthe top device portion 14) and over lateral portions of the top deviceportion 14 to secure the top device portion 14 to the first inner caseportion 48. The first outer case portion 50 may be secured (e.g.,removably secured) to the first inner case portion 48 in any knownmanner, such as by snaps and/or latches, for example.

Still referring to FIG. 9, the second outer case portion 68 may besecured to the second inner case portion 60 to encase or enclose the topdevice portion 14 of the electronic device 12. The second outer caseportion 68 may be secured to the second inner case portion 60 in anysuitable manner. For example, the second outer case portion 68 may havea first recess 320 disposed at or adjacent to a first lateral segment322 and a second recess 324 disposed at or adjacent to a second lateralsegment 326. The second outer case portion 68 may be displaced over theouter surface 32 of the bottom device portion 16 of the electronicdevice 12 in a direction along the bottom device axis 18 until the topedge 73 of the second outer case portion 68 is adjacent to or at thedevice hinge axis 18 or is adjacent to the bottom edge 72 of the firstouter case portion 50. In such a position, a first wing portion 328 ofthe second inner case portion 60 will be disposed in the first recess320 and a second wing portion 330 of the second inner case portion 60will be disposed in the second recess 324. The first wing portion 328and the second wing portion 330 may extend upwards (e.g., normal to theinner surface 22 of the bottom device portion 16) and over lateralportions of the bottom device portion 16 to secure the bottom deviceportion 16 to the second inner case portion 60. The second outer caseportion 68 may be secured (e.g., removably secured) to the second innercase portion 60 in any known manner, such as by snaps and/or latches,for example. In some embodiments, a first hinge member 44 a (e.g., aflexible portion or a hinge rod portion) is coupled to the first caseportion 40 and/or the second case portion 42. In other embodiments, nofirst hinge member 44 a is coupled to the first case portion 40 and/orthe second case portion 42. In some embodiments, the first inner caseportion 48 is coupled to or secured to the second inner case portion 42.In other embodiments, the first inner case portion 48 is not coupled toor secured to the second inner case portion 42.

FIG. 10 illustrates an inner view of a further embodiment of aprotective enclosure 400 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position, and FIG. 11 illustrates an outer view of theprotective enclosure 400 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position. The protective enclosure 400 may include any or allof the features, functions, elements, or characteristics of any or allof the previously disclosed embodiments, such as the embodiment of theprotective enclosure 300 illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, and similar oridentical components and elements will have identical reference numbers.In the embodiment of the protective enclosure 400, portions of the firstcase portion 40 and portions of the second case portion 42 may be madefrom a hard material (e.g., a hard plastic, such as polycarbonate) andportions of the first case portion 40 and portions of the second caseportion 42 may be made from a soft material (e.g., a soft plastic, suchas a thermoplastic elastomer, or “TPE”). For example, in FIGS. 10 and11, the first wing portion 316 and/or the second wing portion 318 of thefirst inner case portion 48 and/or the first wing portion 328 and/or thesecond wing portion 330 of the second inner case portion 60 may be madefrom or comprise a soft material. Other portions of the first inner caseportion 48 and/or the second inner case portion 60—or the entire firstinner case portion 48 and/or the second inner case portion 60—may alsobe made from or comprise the soft material. Portions of the (or theentire) first outer case portion 50 and/or portions of the (or theentire) second outer case portion 68 may be made from or comprise thehard material.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the first hinge member 44 a may include ahinge portion 402 that may couple the second end 58 of the first outercase portion 50 and the second end 70 of the second outer case portion68. The hinge portion 402 may be flexible and may be a portion of softmaterial that may extend along all or a part of the device hinge axis18. FIG. 12A illustrates a side view of the protective enclosure 400having the hinge portion 402 with the encased electronic device 12 inthe closed second position, and FIG. 12B illustrates a front view of theprotective enclosure 400 having the hinge portion 402 with the encasedelectronic device 12 in the closed second position.

FIG. 13 illustrates an inner view of a further embodiment of aprotective enclosure 500 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position, and FIG. 14 illustrates an outer view of theprotective enclosure 500 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position. The protective enclosure 400 may include any or allof the features, functions, elements, or characteristics of any or allof the previously disclosed embodiments, such as the embodiment of theprotective enclosure 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3B, and similar oridentical components and elements will have identical reference numbers.In the embodiment of the protective enclosure 500, portions of the firstcase portion 40 and portions of the second case portion 42 may be madefrom a hard material (e.g., a hard plastic, such as polycarbonate) andportions of the first case portion 40 and portions of the second caseportion 42 may be made from a soft material (e.g., a soft plastic, suchas a thermoplastic elastomer, or “TPE”). For example, as illustrated inFIG. 14, the first hinge member 44 a may include a hinge portion 502that may couple the second end 58 of the first outer case portion 50 andthe second end 70 of the second outer case portion 68. The hinge portion502 may be flexible and may be a portion of soft material that mayextend along all or a part of the device hinge axis 18. Portions of thefirst outer case portion 50 and/or the second outer case portion 68(which may include the portions that are not made of the soft material)may be made from or comprise the hard material. In some embodiments, thesoft material may be co-molded with or over the hard material.

FIG. 15A illustrates a side view of the protective enclosure 500 havingthe hinge portion 502 with the encased electronic device 12 in theclosed second position, and FIG. 15B illustrates a front view of theprotective enclosure 500 having the hinge portion 502 with the encasedelectronic device 12 in the closed second position.

FIG. 16 illustrates an inner view of a further embodiment of aprotective enclosure 600 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position, and FIG. 17 illustrates an outer view of theprotective enclosure 600 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position. The protective enclosure 600 may include any or allof the features, functions, elements, or characteristics of any or allof the previously disclosed embodiments, such as the embodiment of theprotective enclosure 400 illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12B, and similar oridentical components and elements will have identical reference numbers.

In the embodiment of the protective enclosure 600, the first caseportion 40 may be displaceable relative to the second case portion 42(or vice versa) by any method known in the art to allow an electronicdevice 12 to be inserted or removed from the protective enclosure 600.Specifically, and as illustrated in FIG. 18, which illustrates an outerview of the protective enclosure 600 (without the encased electronicdevice 12) generally in the open first position, the protectiveenclosure 600 may have a projection portion 602 than may extend from thesecond end 58 of the first outer case portion 50. The projection portion602 may be received in a corresponding recess 604 formed on an innersurface 605 of the second outer case portion 68 of the second caseportion 42. The first hinge member 44 a may be a portion of theprojection portion 602 that extends across a top portion of theprojection portion 602 that is at or adjacent to the second end 58 ofthe first outer case portion 50, and the first hinge member 44 a may beany known hinge mechanism, including a flexible portion of theprojection portion 602.

The projection portion 602 may have one or more (e.g., two) slotportions 606 that each slidingly receives a corresponding pin member608. With each pin member 608 received in a corresponding slot portion606, the second case portion 42 may be slidably displaceable relative tothe first case portion 40 along a direction that would correspond to thebottom device axis 18 (if the electronic device 12 was enclosed) betweenan open case position (illustrated in FIG. 18) and a closed caseposition (illustrated in FIG. 17). In the open case position of FIG. 18,each pin member 608 may be disposed at a first end of the correspondingslot portion 606 and a bottom edge 610 of the projection portion 602 maybe offset from a bottom edge 612 of the recess 604. In the closed caseposition of FIG. 17, each pin member 608 (which is shown in dashedlines) may be disposed at a second end of the corresponding slot portion606 and the bottom edge 610 of the projection portion 602 may beadjacent to or in contact with the bottom edge 612 of the recess 604. Insome embodiments, the protective enclosure 600 may be moved to the opencase position and the electronic device 12 may be inserted in theprotective enclosure 600. The protective enclosure 600 may then be movedto the closed case position to retain the electronic device 12 in theprotective enclosure 600. As illustrated in FIG. 18, a resilient and/orsoft material may be disposed on or all or a portion of the innersurface 605 of the second outer case portion 68 and/or all or a portionof the inner surface 614 of the first outer case portion 50 to form oneor more cushioning layers or cushioning members. The resilient materialmay comprise all or part the protection portion 102 and/or the firsthinge member 44 a.

The first inner case portion 48 may be secured to the first outer caseportion 50 and the second inner case portion 60 may be secured to thesecond outer case portion 68, so the first inner case portion 48 and thefirst outer case portion 50 may displace as a unit relative to thesecond inner case portion 60 and the second outer case portion 68. Insome embodiments, the first inner case portion 48 and the first outercase portion 50 may be removable from the second inner case portion 60and the second outer case portion 68.

In some embodiments (not shown), the one or more pin members may bedisposed on the projection portion 602 and the slot portions 660 may bedisposed on the second outer case portion 68. In other embodiments, theprojection portion 202 may extend from the second outer case portion 68,but may be otherwise identical to any embodiment discussed.

FIG. 19A illustrates a side view of the protective enclosure 600 withthe encased electronic device 12 in the closed second position. FIG. 19Billustrates a front view of the protective enclosure 600 with theencased electronic device 12 in the closed second position, and FIG. 19Cillustrates a rear view of the protective enclosure 600 with the encasedelectronic device 12 in the closed second position, with the projectionportion each pin member 608 disposed in the corresponding slot portion606.

FIG. 20 illustrates an inner view of a further embodiment of aprotective enclosure 700 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position, and FIG. 21 illustrates an outer view of theprotective enclosure 700 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position. The protective enclosure 700 may include any or allof the features, functions, elements, or characteristics of any or allof the previously disclosed embodiments, such as the embodiment of theprotective enclosure 600 illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19C, and similar oridentical components and elements will have identical reference numbers.

In the embodiment of the protective enclosure 700, the first caseportion 40 may be removable and/or displaceable from the second caseportion 42 (or vice versa) by any method known in the art to allow anelectronic device 12 to be inserted or removed from the protectiveenclosure 700. Specifically, and as illustrated in FIG. 22, whichillustrates an outer view of the protective enclosure 700 (without theencased electronic device 12) in the open first position with the firstcase portion 40 and the second case portion 42 separated, the second end58 of the first outer case portion 50 may have a first set of teeth 702that may generally extend along or adjacent to the bottom edge 72 of thefirst outer case portion 50. In addition, the second end 70 of thesecond outer case portion 68 may have a second set of teeth 704 that maygenerally extend along or adjacent to the top edge 73 of the secondouter case portion 68. The first set of teeth 702 may releasably engagethe second set of teeth 704 when the electronic device 12 disposedbetween within the protective enclosure 700, as illustrated in FIG. 21.In some embodiments, an end portion of each of the first set of teeth702 may releasably engage an end portion of a corresponding one of thesecond set of teeth 704, such as by overlapping or by snapping.

In some embodiments, the protective enclosure 700 does not have a firsthinge member 44 a. In particular, as illustrated in the side view of theprotective enclosure 700 in the closed second position of FIG. 23A, theelectronic device 12 may fold around the device hinge axis 18(illustrated in FIG. 21) and the first set of teeth 702 and the secondset of teeth 704 may be offset and disengaged. However, the protectiveenclosure 800 may include a first hinge member 44 a that may be anyknown hinge that couples the first case portion 40 and the second caseportion 42.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, a portion 706 (or all) of the first outercase portion 50 may be made from or comprise a transparent orsemi-transparent material (such as a clear polycarbonate material). Inaddition, a portion 708 of the first outer case portion 50 may be madefrom or comprise a bumper material, that may be an opaque material or atransparent or semi-transparent material. The bumper material may beresilient and may be capable of absorbing shocks from falls or impact.For example, the portion 708 may include a portion along the first outerperimeter edge 51, but may not include a portion along the bottom edge72. A portion 710 (or all) of the second outer case portion 68 may bemade from or comprise a transparent or semi-transparent material (suchas a clear polycarbonate material). In addition, a portion 712 of thesecond outer case portion 68 may be made from or comprise the bumpermaterial. For example, the portion 712 may include a portion along thesecond outer perimeter edge 71, but may not include a portion along thetop edge 73. In addition, referring to FIG. 20, a portion (or all) ofthe first inner case portion 48 and/or a portion (or all) of the secondinner case portion 60 may be made from or comprise the bumper materialand/or a transparent or semi-transparent material. The transparent,semi-transparent, and/or bumper material may be coupled by any methodknown in the art, such as by overmolding, co-molding, adhesives,ultrasonic welding, or mechanical fastening, for example.

FIG. 23B illustrates a front view of the protective enclosure 700 withthe encased electronic device 12 in the closed second position, and FIG.23C illustrates a rear view of the protective enclosure 700 with theencased electronic device 12 in the closed second position.

FIG. 24 illustrates an inner view of a further embodiment of aprotective enclosure 800 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position, and FIG. 25 illustrates an outer view of theprotective enclosure 800 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position. The protective enclosure 800 may include any or allof the features, functions, elements, or characteristics of any or allof the previously disclosed embodiments, such as the embodiment of theprotective enclosure 700 illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 23C, and similar oridentical components and elements will have identical reference numbers.In the embodiment of the protective enclosure 800, the first caseportion 40 may be removable and/or displaceable from the second caseportion 42 (or vice versa) by any method known in the art to allow anelectronic device 12 to be inserted or removed from the protectiveenclosure 800. Specifically, and as illustrated in FIG. 26, whichillustrates an outer view of the protective enclosure 800 (without theencased electronic device 12) in the open first position with the firstcase portion 40 and the second case portion 42 separated, the bottomedge 72 at the second end 58 of the first outer case portion 50 may beflat or substantially flat. In addition, the top edge 73 at the secondend 70 of the second outer case portion 68 may be flat or substantiallyflat and may be in contact with or adjacent to the bottom edge 72 of thefirst outer case portion 50 in the open first position.

As illustrated in FIG. 25, a portion 806 (or all) of the first outercase portion 50 may be made from or comprise a transparent orsemi-transparent material (such as a glass material). In addition, aportion 808 of the first outer case portion 50 may be made from orcomprise the bumper material that may be an opaque material or atransparent or semi-transparent material. The bumper material may beresilient and may be capable of absorbing shocks from falls or impact.For example, the portion 808 may include a portion along the first outerperimeter edge 51, but may not include a portion along the bottom edge72. A portion 810 (or all) of the second outer case portion 68 may bemade from or comprise a transparent or semi-transparent material (suchas a glass material). In addition, a portion 812 of the second outercase portion 68 may be made from or comprise the bumper material. Forexample, the portion 812 may include a portion along the second outerperimeter edge 71, but may not include a portion along the top edge 73.In addition, referring to FIG. 24, a portion (or all) of the first innercase portion 48 and/or a portion (or all) of the second inner caseportion 60 may be made from or comprise the bumper material and/or atransparent or semi-transparent material (such as a clear polycarbonatematerial). The transparent, semi-transparent, and/or bumper material maybe coupled by any method known in the art, such as by overmolding,adhesives, ultrasonic welding, or mechanical fastening, for example.

In some embodiments, the protective enclosure 800 does not have a firsthinge member 44 a. In particular, as illustrated in the side view of theprotective enclosure 800 in the closed second position of FIG. 27A, theelectronic device 12 may fold around the device hinge axis 18(illustrated in FIG. 21). However, the protective enclosure 800 mayinclude a first hinge member 44 a that may be any known hinge thatcouples the first case portion 40 and the second case portion 42.

FIG. 27B illustrates a front view of the protective enclosure 800 withthe encased electronic device 12 in the closed second position, and FIG.27C illustrates a rear view of the protective enclosure 800 with theencased electronic device 12 in the closed second position.

FIG. 28 illustrates an inner view of a further embodiment of aprotective enclosure 900 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position, and FIG. 29 illustrates an outer view of theprotective enclosure 900 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position. The protective enclosure 900 may include any or allof the features, functions, elements, or characteristics of any or allof the previously disclosed embodiments, such as the embodiment of theprotective enclosure 600 illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19C, and similar oridentical components and elements will have identical reference numbers.

In the embodiment of the protective enclosure 900, the first caseportion 40 may be displaceable relative to the second case portion 42(or vice versa) by any method known in the art to allow an electronicdevice 12 to be inserted or removed from the protective enclosure 900.Specifically, and as illustrated in FIG. 30, which illustrates an outerview of the protective enclosure 900 (without the encased electronicdevice 12) generally in the open first position, the protectiveenclosure 900 may have a projection portion 902 that may have a firstend 904 that extends from the second end 58 of the first outer caseportion 50. The projection portion 902 may have a second end 906 coupledto the second outer case portion 68 (e.g., coupled to a portion of theinner surface 908) at a point between the first end 69 and the secondend 70 of the second outer case portion 68. The first hinge member 44 amay be a portion of the projection portion 902 that extends across a topportion of the projection portion 902 that is at or adjacent to thesecond end 58 of the first outer case portion 50, and the first hingemember 44 a may be any known hinge mechanism, including a flexibleportion of the projection portion 902. The projection portion 902 may bemade from or comprise an elastic, stretchable, or resilient materialthat may be deformable and may have a spring-like tendency to resistelongation.

In the embodiment of the protective enclosure 900, the first caseportion 40 may be displaceable relative to the second case portion 42(or vice versa) from an open case position (illustrated in FIG. 30) anda closed case position (illustrated in FIG. 29). In the open caseposition, the first case portion 40 may be displaced away from thesecond case portion along an axis that may correspond to the top deviceaxis 17 (if the electronic device 12 was enclosed) to allow theelectronic device 12 to be inserted in the protective enclosure 900.When the electronic device 12 is in the protective enclosure 900, theelastic property of the projection portion 902 pulls the second caseportion 42 towards the first case portion 40 to assist in retaining theelectronic device 12 in the protective enclosure 900 such that theprotective enclosure 900 is the closed case position. As illustrated inFIG. 30, a resilient material 909 may be disposed on or all or a portionof the inner surface 910 of the second outer case portion 68 and/or allor a portion of the inner surface 912 of the first outer case portion50.

FIG. 31A illustrates a side view of the protective enclosure 900 withthe encased electronic device 12 in the closed second position. FIG. 31Billustrates a front view of the protective enclosure 900 with theencased electronic device 12 in the closed second position, and FIG. 31Cillustrates a rear view of the protective enclosure 900 with the encasedelectronic device 12 in the closed second position.

FIG. 32 illustrates an inner view of a further embodiment of aprotective enclosure 1000 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position, and FIG. 33 illustrates an outer view of theprotective enclosure 1000 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position. The protective enclosure 1000 may include any orall of the features, functions, elements, or characteristics of any orall of the previously disclosed embodiments, such as the embodiment ofthe protective enclosure 700 illustrated in FIGS. 20 to 23C, and similaror identical components and elements will have identical referencenumbers.

In the embodiment of the protective enclosure 1000, the first caseportion 40 may be removable and/or displaceable from the second caseportion 42 (or vice versa) by any method known in the art to allow anelectronic device 12 to be inserted or removed from the protectiveenclosure 1000. In addition, the first case portion 40 may be pivotablerelative to the second case portion 42 by any method known in the art.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 34 (which illustrates the protectiveenclosure 1000 without an encased electronic device 12 and in asemi-exploded state), the first hinge member 44 a of the protectiveenclosure 1000 may be or include a first hinge element 1002 a that maybe elongated and may extend from a first end 1004 a to a second end 1006a. The first hinge element 1002 a may be made from a rigid material(such as a plastic material) or a flexible material (or a combination ofrigid and flexible materials). The first end 1004 a may be coupled to aportion of the first outer case portion 50 (and/or a portion of thefirst inner case portion 48 of FIG. 32) at or adjacent to the second end58 of the first outer case portion 50 (and/or at or adjacent to thesecond end 54 of the first inner case portion 48 of FIG. 32). The firstend 1004 a may be coupled to the portion of the first outer case portion50 (and/or the portion of the first inner case portion 48) by any methodthat allows the first end 1004 a to rotate relative to the first outercase portion 50, such as by a pin that is received into an apertureformed in the first outer case portion 50 (and/or the first inner caseportion 48).

Still referring to FIG. 34, the second end 1006 a of the first hingeelement 1002 a may be coupled to a portion of the second outer caseportion 68 (and/or a portion of the second inner case portion 60 of FIG.32) at or adjacent to the second end 70 of the second outer case portion68 (and/or at or adjacent to the second end 64 of the second inner caseportion 60 of FIG. 32). The second end 1006 a may be coupled to theportion of the second outer case portion 68 (and/or the portion of thesecond inner case portion 60) by any method that allows the second end1006 a to rotate relative to the second outer case portion 68, such asby a pin that is received into an aperture formed in the second outercase portion 68 (and/or the second inner case portion 60).

The first hinge axis 46 a may be any axis of rotation of the first hingemember 44 a or may be a first axis of rotation of the first hinge member44 a (such as the pin at or adjacent to the first end 1004 a of thefirst hinge element 1002 a or a second axis of rotation of the firsthinge member 44 a (such as the pin at or adjacent to the second end 1006a of the first hinge element 1002 a). In some embodiments, the firsthinge axis 46 a may be an effective axis of rotation of the combinationof rotational axes of the first hinge element 1002 a.

Still referring to FIG. 34, the protective enclosure 1000 may alsoinclude a second hinge member 44 b that may be identical to the firsthinge member 44 a, but disposed on an opposite lateral side of theprotective enclosure. For example, if the first hinge member 44 a isdisposed along or adjacent to a first lateral end 1008 of the firstouter case portion 50 and the second outer case portion 68, the secondhinge member 44 b may be disposed along a second lateral end 1010 of thefirst outer case portion 50 and the second outer case portion 68. Thefirst lateral end 1008 and the second lateral end 1010 may each benormal or substantially normal to the device hinge axis 18 when theelectronic device 12 is encased in the protective enclosure 1000.

In the protective enclosure 1000, the second hinge member 44 b may be asecond hinge element 1002 b that may be elongated and may extend from afirst end 1004 b to a second end 1006 b. The first end 1004 b may becoupled to a portion of the first outer case portion 50 (and/or aportion of the first inner case portion 48 of FIG. 32) at or adjacent tothe second end 58 of the first outer case portion 50 (and/or at oradjacent to the second end 54 of the first inner case portion 48 of FIG.32). The first end 1004 b may be coupled to the portion of the firstouter case portion 50 (and/or the portion of the first inner caseportion 48) by any method that allows the first end 1004 b to rotaterelative to the first outer case portion 50, such as by a pin that isreceived into an aperture formed in the first outer case portion 50(and/or the first inner case portion 48).

Still referring to FIG. 34, the second end 1006 b of the second hingeelement 1002 b may be coupled to a portion of the second outer caseportion 68 (and/or a portion of the second inner case portion 60 of FIG.32) at or adjacent to the second end 70 of the second outer case portion68 (and/or at or adjacent to the second end 64 of the second inner caseportion 60 of FIG. 32). The second end 1006 b may be coupled to theportion of the second outer case portion 68 (and/or the portion of thesecond inner case portion 60) by any method that allows the second end1006 b to rotate relative to the second outer case portion 68, such asby a pin that is received into an aperture formed in the second outercase portion 68 (and/or the second inner case portion 60).

The second hinge axis 46 b may be any axis of rotation of the secondhinge member 44 b or may be a first axis of rotation of the second hingemember 44 b (such as the pin at or adjacent to the first end 1004 b ofthe second hinge element 1002 b or a second axis of rotation of thesecond hinge member 44 b (such as the pin at or adjacent to the secondend 1006 b of the second hinge element 1002 a). In some embodiments, thesecond hinge axis 46 b may be an effective axis of rotation of thecombination of rotational axes of the second hinge element 1002 b.

When the electronic device 12 is moved between the open first positionand the closed second position, the first case portion 40 rotates orpivots about the first and second hinge axes 46 a, 46 b as described dueto the first hinge member 44 a and the second hinge member 44 b.

FIG. 35A illustrates a side view of the protective enclosure 1000 withthe encased electronic device 12 in the closed second position. FIG. 35Billustrates a front view of the protective enclosure 1000 with theencased electronic device 12 in the closed second position, and FIG. 35Cillustrates a rear view of the protective enclosure 1000 with theencased electronic device 12 in the closed second position.

FIG. 36 illustrates a perspective inner view of a further embodiment ofa protective enclosure 1100 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position, and FIG. 38 illustrates a perspective outer view ofthe protective enclosure 1100 with the encased electronic device 12 inthe closed second position. The protective enclosure 1100 may includeany or all of the features, functions, elements, or characteristics ofany or all of the previously disclosed embodiments, such as theembodiment of the protective enclosure 700 illustrated in FIGS. 20 to23C, and similar or identical components and elements will haveidentical reference numbers.

In the embodiment of the protective enclosure 1100, the first caseportion 40 may be removable and/or displaceable from the second caseportion 42 (or vice versa) by any method known in the art to allow anelectronic device 12 to be inserted or removed from the protectiveenclosure 1100. In addition, the first case portion 40 may be pivotablerelative to the second case portion 42 by any method known in the art.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 38, the protective enclosure 1100may include the first hinge member 44 a (that may be a first hingeelement 1102 a) and, optionally, a second hinge member 44 b (that may bea second hinge element 1102 b). Additional hinge members may also beincluded.

The first hinge element 1102 a may be elongated and resilient and extendfrom a first end 1104 a to a second end 1106 a. The first hinge element1102 a may be made from any suitable material, such as a clear TPE, forexample. The first end 1104 a may be coupled to a portion of the firstouter case portion 50 at or adjacent to the second end 54 of the firstouter case portion 50. The first end 1104 a of the first hinge element1102 a may be coupled to the portion of the first outer case portion 50in any suitable manner. For example, the first end 1104 a of the firsthinge element 1102 a may include a hook portion that engages acorresponding ridge at or adjacent to the second end 54 of the firstouter case portion 50. The second end 1106 a may be coupled to a portionof the second outer case portion 68 at or adjacent to the second end 70of the second outer case portion 68. The second end 1106 a of the firsthinge element 1102 a may be coupled to the portion of the second outercase portion 68 in any suitable manner. For example, second end 1106 aof the first hinge element 1102 a may include a hook portion thatengages a corresponding ridge at or adjacent to the second end 70 of thesecond outer case portion 68.

The second hinge element 1102 b may be substantially identical to thefirst hinge element 1102 a and may be offset from the first hingeelement 1102 a along the device hinge axis 18. The second hinge element1102 b may be elongated and resilient and extend from a first end 1104 bto a second end 1106 b. The second hinge element 1102 b may be made fromany suitable material, such as a clear TPE, for example. The first end1104 b may be coupled to a portion of the first outer case portion 50 ator adjacent to the second end 54 of the first outer case portion 50. Thefirst end 1104 b of the second hinge element 1102 b may be coupled tothe portion of the first outer case portion 50 in any suitable manner.For example, the first end 1104 b of the second hinge element 1102 b mayinclude a hook portion that engages a corresponding ridge at or adjacentto the second end 54 of the first outer case portion 50. The second end1106 b may be coupled to a portion of the second outer case portion 68at or adjacent to the second end 70 of the second outer case portion 68.The second end 1106 b of the second hinge element 1102 b may be coupledto the portion of the second outer case portion 68 in any suitablemanner. For example, second end 1106 b of the second hinge element 1102b may include a hook portion that engages a corresponding ridge at oradjacent to the second end 70 of the second outer case portion 68.

The first hinge axis 46 a (and the second hinge axis 46 b) may be anyaxis of rotation of the first hinge element 1102 a (and/or the secondhinge element 1102 b) as the first case portion 40 and the second caseportion 42 pivot as the electronic device 12 pivots about the devicehinge axis 18 between the open first position and the closed secondposition.

FIG. 37 illustrates a perspective outer view of the protective enclosure1100 with the encased electronic device 12 in a “stand position” betweenthe open first position and the closed second position. In the standposition, the first hinge element 1102 a and the second hinge element1102 b maintain the first case portion 40 and the second case portion 42at an angle less than 180° to allow a user to more easily view the topinner device display 24 (not shown).

FIG. 39 illustrates an outer perspective view of a further embodiment ofa protective enclosure 1200 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position. The protective enclosure 1200 may include any orall of the features, functions, elements, or characteristics of theembodiment of the protective enclosure 200 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 6B,and similar or identical components and elements will have identicalreference numbers.

In this embodiment of the protective enclosure 1200, the first hingemember 44 a includes a portion 1202 of material that extends from thesecond end 58 of the first outer case portion 50 to the second end 70 ofthe second outer case portion 68. The portion 1202 of material may becoupled to the second end 58 of the first outer case portion 50 and/orto the second end 70 of the second outer case portion 68. In someembodiments, the portion 1202 of material may be integrally andunitarily formed with the second end 58 of the first outer case portion50 and/or with the second end 70 of the second outer case portion 68.The portion 1202 of material may be a single, unitary portion offlexible material or may be an assembly of two or more elements,portions, or types of flexible and non-flexible materials. In someembodiments, the portion 1202 of material may include two or morechannels or recesses 1204 that extend parallel to the device hinge axis18 and that facilitate the bending of the portion 1202 about the firsthinge axis 46. In some embodiments, the two or more channels or recesses1204 may include folds that cooperate to form a bellows oraccordion-like structure. In this embodiment, the first hinge axis 46may be an overall bending axis (or an effective bending axis) of theportion 1202 of material.

FIG. 40 illustrates a perspective inside view of the embodiment of theprotective enclosure 1200 with the encased electronic device 12 in aposition between the open first position and the second closed position.FIG. 41 illustrates a perspective front view of the embodiment of theprotective enclosure 1200 with the encased electronic device 12 in theclosed second position. The protective enclosure 1200 may be made fromor comprise any suitable material or combination of materials. Forexample, the first case portion 50 and/or the second case portion 68 mayhave a hard inner shell (for example, a plastic material, such aspolycarbonate) and a soft outer layer (for example, a resilientmaterial, such as TPE).

FIG. 42 illustrates a perspective partially-assembled view of a furtherembodiment of a protective enclosure 1300 with the encased electronicdevice 12 in the open first position, and FIG. 43 illustrates aperspective view of the protective enclosure 1300 with the encasedelectronic device 12 in the closed second position. The protectiveenclosure 1300 may include any or all of the features, functions,elements, or characteristics of the embodiment of the protectiveenclosure 800 illustrated in FIGS. 24 to 27C, and similar or identicalcomponents and elements will have identical reference numbers. Theprotective enclosure 1300 may be adapted to encase an electronic device12 (e.g., a tablet or other mobile device) having a top device portion14 pivotable relative to the bottom device portion 16 about the devicehinge axis 18. In use, the electronic device 12 may be viewed in any ofseveral configurations, including a configuration in which the devicehinge axis 18 is vertically orientated relative to a user, and the topdevice portion 14 may be on a left side of the device hinge axis 18 andthe bottom device portion 16 may be on a right side of the device hingeaxis 18 (or vice versa).

In the embodiment of the protective enclosure 1300, the first caseportion 40 may be removable and/or displaceable from the second caseportion 42 (or vice versa) by any method known in the art to allow anelectronic device 12 to be inserted or removed from the protectiveenclosure 1300. Specifically, and as illustrated in FIG. 42, the firstinner case portion 48 and the first outer case portion 50 of the firstcase portion 40 may be removable from and insertable on the top deviceportion 14. For example, a peripheral portion 1301 of the first innercase portion 48 and/or the first outer case portion 50 may cooperate toform a peripheral channel 1302 that receives a corresponding portion ofa peripheral edge 1304 of the top device portion 14. The peripheral edge1304 of the top device portion 14 may correspond to top and lateral sideportions of the top inner peripheral edge 21 and/or top and lateral sideportions of the top outer peripheral edge 31. The peripheral channel1302 of the first case portion 40 may include top and lateral sideportions of the first inner case portion 48 and/or the first outer caseportion 50 that correspond to the top and lateral side portions of thetop inner peripheral edge 21 and/or top and lateral side portions of thetop outer peripheral edge 31 of the top device portion 14. The firstouter case portion 50 and/or the first inner case portion 48 may includea clear portion 1306 that is adapted to protect the inner surface 20and/or the outer surface 30 of the top device portion 14. The clearportion 1306 may be made from or comprise a transparent orsemi-transparent material (such as a glass material or polycarbonatematerial). The clear portion 1306 may be surrounded or partiallysurrounded by the peripheral portion 1301 of the first inner caseportion 48 and/or the first outer case portion 50. In some embodiments,the first inner case portion 48 and/or the first outer case portion 50may not include the clear portion 1306 and may just include theperipheral portion 1301 of the first inner case portion 48 and/or thefirst outer case portion 50. The peripheral portion 1301 may be madefrom or comprise a bumper material that may be an opaque material or atransparent or semi-transparent material. The bumper material may beresilient and may be capable of absorbing shocks from falls or impact.To insert the top device portion 14 into the first case portion 40, thefirst case portion 40 may be displaced along the arrow 1310 (indicatinga direction normal to the device hinge axis 18) to cover all or aportion of the top device portion 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 42, the second inner case portion 60 and thesecond outer case portion 68 of the second case portion 42 may beremovable from and insertable on the bottom device portion 16. Forexample, a peripheral portion 1311 of the second inner case portion 60and/or the second outer case portion 68 may cooperate to form aperipheral channel 1312 that receives a corresponding portion of aperipheral edge 1314 of the bottom device portion 16. The peripheraledge 1314 of the bottom device portion 16 may correspond to top andlateral side portions of the bottom inner peripheral edge 23 and/or topand lateral side portions of the bottom outer peripheral edge 33. Theperipheral channel 1312 of the bottom device portion 16 may include topand lateral side portions of the second inner case portion 60 and/or thesecond outer case portion 68 that correspond to the top and lateral sideportions of the bottom inner peripheral edge 23 and/or top and lateralside portions of the bottom outer peripheral edge 33 of the bottomdevice portion 16. The second outer case portion 68 and/or the secondinner case portion 60 may include a clear portion 1316 that is adaptedto protect the inner surface 22 and/or the outer surface 32 of thebottom device portion 16. The clear portion 1316 may be surrounded orpartially surrounded by the peripheral portion 1311 of the second innercase portion 60 and/or the first outer case portion 50. In someembodiments, the second outer case portion 68 and/or the second innercase portion 60 may not include the clear portion 1316 and may justinclude the peripheral portion 1311 of the second inner case portion 60and/or the first outer case portion 50. The peripheral portion 1311 maybe made from or comprise the bumper material previously described. Thesecond case portion 42 may be displaced in a direction opposite thearrow 1310 (indicating a direction normal to the device hinge axis 18)to cover all or a portion of the bottom device portion 16.

With the top device portion 14 disposed and/or secured in the first caseportion 40 and the bottom device portion 16 disposed and/or secured inthe second case portion 42, the electronic device may be pivoted aboutthe device hinge axis 18 between the first open position and the secondclosed position, which is illustrated in the perspective view of FIG.43.

FIG. 44 illustrates an outer view of a further embodiment of aprotective enclosure 1400 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position. The protective enclosure 1400 may include any orall of the features, functions, elements, or characteristics of any orall of the previously disclosed embodiments, such as the embodiment ofthe protective enclosure 200 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 6B, and similaror identical components and elements will have identical referencenumbers.

In this embodiment of the protective enclosure 1400, the first hingemember 44 a includes a portion 1402 of material that extends from thesecond end 58 of the first outer case portion 50 to the second end 70 ofthe second outer case portion 68. The portion 1402 of material may becoupled to the second end 58 of the first outer case portion 50 and/orto the second end 70 of the second outer case portion 68. In someembodiments, the portion 1402 of material may be integrally andunitarily formed with the second end 58 of the first outer case portion50 and/or with the second end 70 of the second outer case portion 68.The portion 1402 of material may be a single, unitary portion offlexible material or may be an assembly of two or more elements,portions, or types of flexible and non-flexible materials. In someembodiments, the portion 1402 of material may include two or moreapertures or slots 1403 that extend generally normal to the device hingeaxis 18 and that facilitate the bending of the portion 1402 about thefirst hinge axis 46. In this embodiment, the first hinge axis 46 may bean overall bending axis (or an effective bending axis) of the portion1402 of material.

The material comprising the portion 1402 may be unitarily formed with anunderlayer 1403 that partially comprises all or a portion of the firstouter case portion 50 and the second outer case portion 68. The materialmay be soft and resilient, such as a TPE, and the layer may be ashock-absorbing protective layer. The material may also form part or allof the first inner case portion 48 and the second inner case portion 60.The first outer case portion 50 may also include a first outer shell1406 that covers at least a portion of the first outer case portion 50to provide additional protection to the first outer case portion 50. Thefirst outer shell 1406 may be made from or comprise a hard and/or rigidmaterial, such as polycarbonate. FIG. 45 illustrates a partiallyexploded perspective view of the protective enclosure 1400, and FIG. 45illustrates that the first outer shell 1406 may include two or more wingportions 1408 that may each have undercut portions 1410 that may each beadapted to capture a portion (e.g., a corner portion and/or a lateralportion) of the electronic device 12 to secure the electronic device 12within the first case portion 40. In some embodiments, the two or morewing portions 1408 (or portions of the two or more wing portions 1408)may be the first inner case portion 48. Portions of the underlayer 1404may be recessed in areas that mate with the first outer shell 1406 suchthat the first outer case portion 50 may have a surface with asubstantially uniform height.

The second outer case portion 68 may also include a second outer shell1412 that covers at least a portion of the second outer case portion 68to provide additional protection to the second outer case portion 68.The second outer shell 1412 may be made from or comprise a hard and/orrigid material, such as polycarbonate. As illustrated in FIG. 45, thesecond outer shell 1412 may include two or more wing portions 1414 thatmay each have undercut portions 1416 that may each be adapted to capturea portion (e.g., a corner portion and/or a lateral portion) of theelectronic device 12 to secure the electronic device 12 within thesecond case portion 42. In some embodiments, the two or more wingportions 1414 (or portions of the two or more wing portions 1414) may bethe second inner case portion 68. Portions of the underlayer 1404 may berecessed in areas that mate with the second outer shell 1412 such thatthe second outer case portion 68 may have a surface with a substantiallyuniform height.

FIG. 46A illustrates a perspective view of a further embodiment of aprotective enclosure 1500 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position and with a stand portion 1502 in a usage position.The protective enclosure 1500 may include any or all of the features,functions, elements, or characteristics of all of the previouslydisclosed embodiments, such as the embodiment of the protectiveenclosure 800 illustrated in FIGS. 24 to 27C and/or the embodiment ofthe protective enclosure 1000 illustrated in FIGS. 32 to 35C, andsimilar or identical components and elements will have identicalreference numbers.

In some embodiments, the stand portion 1502 may have a first arm portion1504 a and a second arm portion 1504 b. The first arm portion 1504 a maybe elongated and may extend from a first end 1506 a to a second end 1508a. The first end 1506 a may be pivotably secured to a first lateralportion 1510 of the first case portion 40 and/or the second case portion42. The second arm portion 1504 b may be elongated and may extend from afirst end 1506 b to a second end 1508 b. The first end 1506 b may bepivotably secured to a second lateral portion 1512 of the first caseportion 40 and/or the second case portion 42. A cross-arm portion 1514may extend from the second end 1508 a of the first arm portion 1504 a tothe second end 1508 b of the second arm portion 1504 b, and the firstarm portion 1504 a, the second arm portion 1504 b, and the cross-armportion 1514 may cooperate to form a U-shape that may generallycorrespond in shape and dimensions to corresponding portions of thesecond outer perimeter edge 71 of the second outer case portion 68.Accordingly, when the stand portion 1502 is in a stowed position (asillustrated in FIG. 46B), the stand portion 1502 may extend aroundcorresponding portions of the second outer perimeter edge 71 of thesecond outer case portion 68 to minimize the overall size of theprotective enclosure 1500.

The first end 1506 a of the first arm portion 1504 a and the first end1506 b of the second arm portion 1504 b may be pivotably coupled to anyportion of the first case portion 40 and/or the second case portion 42in any suitable manner and in any suitable position (e.g., a portion at,adjacent to, or aligned with) the first hinge axis 48 and/or the devicehinge axis 18). In addition, the first end 1506 a of the first armportion 1504 a and/or the first end 1506 b of the second arm portion1504 b may be directly or indirectly coupled to any portion of the firstcase portion 40 and/or the second case portion 42.

During normal use of the electronic device 12, the stand portion 1502may be maintained in the stowed position. For example, FIG. 46Billustrates a perspective view of the protective enclosure 1500 with theencased electronic device 12 in the closed position and with a standportion 1502 in the stowed position. When it is desired to use the standportion 1502, any portion of the stand portion 1502 may be grasped by auser and the first end 1506 a of the first arm portion 1504 a and thefirst end 1506 b of the second arm portion 1504 b may be pivoted intothe usage position. The stand portion 1502 may be capable of a singleusage position or two or more usage positions. In some embodiments, amechanical stop (or stops) or friction may maintain the stand portion1502 in the usage position(s). With the stand portion 1502 in one ormore of the usage positions, the stand portion 1502 may be used as akickstand to maintain the electronic device 12 (in the first openposition) in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation.Alternatively, the stand portion 1502 may be used as a brace to maintainthe electronic device 12 (in the first open position) in a horizontal orsubstantially horizontal orientation. Any other suitable uses for thestand portion 1502 are also contemplated.

FIG. 47A illustrates a perspective view of a further embodiment of aprotective enclosure 1600 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position and with a stand portion 1602 in a usage position.The protective enclosure 1600 may include any or all of the features,functions, elements, or characteristics of any or all of the previouslydisclosed embodiments, such as the embodiment of the protectiveenclosure 800 illustrated in FIGS. 24 to 27C and/or the embodiment ofthe protective enclosure 1000 illustrated in FIGS. 32 to 35C, andsimilar or identical components and elements will have identicalreference numbers.

In some embodiments, the stand portion 1602 of the protective enclosure1600 may be substantially similar to stand portion 1502 of theprotective enclosure 1500 but may cover all or a portion of the secondouter case portion 68 when the stand portion 1602 in the usage position.More specifically, the stand portion 1602 may be planar, partiallyplanar, or substantially planar and may be adapted to cover all or aportion the second outer case portion 68 when the stand portion 1602 inthe usage position.

In some embodiments, the stand portion 1602 may have a first edgeportion 1604 a and a second edge portion 1604 b. The first edge portion1604 a may be elongated and may extend from a first end 1606 a to asecond end 1608 a. The first end 1606 a may be pivotably secured to afirst lateral portion 1610 of the first case portion 40 and/or thesecond case portion 42. The second edge portion 1604 b may be elongatedand may extend from a first end 1606 b to a second end 1608 b. The firstend 1606 b may be pivotably secured to a second lateral portion 1612 ofthe first case portion 40 and/or the second case portion 42. A bottomedge portion 1614 may extend from the second end 1608 a of the firstedge portion 1604 a to the second end 1608 b of the second edge portion1604 b, and the first edge portion 1604 a, the second edge portion 1604b, and the cross-edge portion 1614 may cooperate to form a shape thatmay generally correspond in shape and dimensions to correspondingportions of the second outer perimeter edge 71 of the second outer caseportion 68.

The first end 1606 a of the first edge portion 1604 a and the first end1606 b of the second edge portion 1604 b may be pivotably coupled to anyportion of the first case portion 40 and/or the second case portion 42in any suitable manner and in any suitable position. In addition, thefirst end 1606 a of the first edge portion 1604 a and/or the first end1606 b of the second edge portion 1604 b may be directly or indirectlycoupled to any portion of the first case portion 40 and/or the secondcase portion 42.

During normal use of the electronic device 12, the stand portion 1602may be maintained in the stowed position. For example, FIG. 47Billustrates a side view of the protective enclosure 1600 with theencased electronic device 12 in the closed position and with a standportion 1602 in the stowed position. When it is desired to use the standportion 1602, any portion of the stand portion 1602 may be grasped by auser and the first end 1606 a of the first edge portion 1604 a and thefirst end 1606 b of the second edge portion 1604 b may be pivoted intothe usage position. The stand portion 1602 may be capable of a singleusage position or two or more usage positions. In some embodiments, amechanical stop (or stops) or friction may maintain the stand portion1602 in the usage position(s). With the stand portion 1602 in one ormore of the usage positions, the stand portion 1602 may be used as akickstand to maintain the electronic device 12 (in the first openposition) in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation, asillustrated in FIG. 47A. Any other suitable uses for the stand portion1602 are also contemplated. In some embodiments, a belt clip 1616 may beattached to any suitable portion of the stand portion 1602 in anysuitable manner.

FIG. 48A illustrates an outer view of a further embodiment of aprotective enclosure 1700 with the encased electronic device 12 in theopen first position. The protective enclosure 1700 may include any orall of the features, functions, elements, or characteristics of any orall of the previously disclosed embodiments, such as the embodiment ofthe protective enclosure 200 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 6B, and similaror identical components and elements will have identical referencenumbers.

As illustrated in FIG. 48A, the first hinge member 44 a of theprotective enclosure 1700 includes a portion 1702 of material thatextends from the second end 58 of the first outer case portion 50 to thesecond end 70 of the second outer case portion 68. The portion 1702 ofmaterial may be coupled to the second end 58 of the first outer caseportion 50 and/or to the second end 70 of the second outer case portion68. In some embodiments, the portion 1702 of material may be integrallyand unitarily formed with the second end 58 of the first outer caseportion 50 and/or with the second end 70 of the second outer caseportion 68. The portion 1702 of material may be a single, unitaryportion of flexible material or may be an assembly of two or moreelements, portions, or types of flexible and non-flexible materials. Inthis embodiment, the first hinge axis 46 may be an overall bending axis(or an effective bending axis) of the portion 1702 of material.

As illustrated in FIG. 48B, which illustrates a side view of theembodiment of the protective enclosure 1700 with the encased electronicdevice 12 in the second closed position, the material comprising theportion 1702 may be unitarily formed with an underlayer 1704 thatpartially comprises all or a portion of the first outer case portion 50and the second outer case portion 68. The material may be soft andresilient, such as a mesh or a TPE, and the layer may be ashock-absorbing protective layer. The material may also form part or allof the first inner case portion 48 and the second inner case portion 60.The first outer case portion 50 may also include a first outer shell1706 that covers at least a portion of the first outer case portion 50to provide additional protection to the first outer case portion 50. Thefirst outer shell 1706 may be made from or comprise a hard and/or rigidmaterial, such as polycarbonate. The first outer shell 1706 may beattached to the first case portion 40 and/or the top device portion 14in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the first outer shell 1706may also include all or portions of the first inner case portion 48. Insome embodiments, the first outer shell 1706 may include wing portions(not shown) that may each have undercut portions that may each beadapted to capture a portion (e.g., a corner portion and/or a lateralportion) of the electronic device 12 to secure the electronic device 12within the first case portion 40. In some embodiments, the two or morewing portions (or portions of the two or more wing portions) maycomprise all or part of the first inner case portion 48. FIG. 48Cillustrates a cross-section of the first outer case portion 50 havingthe first outer shell 1706 and the underlayer 1704.

The second outer case portion 68 may also include a second outer shell1708 that covers at least a portion of the second outer case portion 68to provide additional protection to the second outer case portion 68.The second outer shell 1708 may be made from or comprise a hard and/orrigid material, such as polycarbonate. The second outer shell 1708 maybe attached to the second case portion 42 and/or the bottom deviceportion 16 in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the second outershell 1708 may also include all or portions of the second inner caseportion 60. In some embodiments, the second outer shell 1708 may includewing portions (not shown) that may each have undercut portions that mayeach be adapted to capture a portion (e.g., a corner portion and/or alateral portion) of the electronic device 12 to secure the electronicdevice 12 within the second case portion 42. In some embodiments, thetwo or more wing portions (or portions of the two or more wing portions)may comprise all or part of the second inner case portion 60.

As illustrated in FIG. 48A, one or more hinge shell portions 1712 mayextend over all or a part of the portion 1702 of material in a directionparallel to the device hinge axis 18 and/or the first hinge axis 46, andthe one or more hinge shell portions 1712 may protect the portion 1702of material from abrasion while allowing the portion 1702 to bend alongthe first hinge axis 46.

While various embodiments have been described above, this disclosure isnot intended to be limited thereto. Variations can be made to thedisclosed embodiments that are still within the scope of the appendedclaims. For example, any element or feature of any or all of thedisclosed protective enclosures may be included with or omitted from anyor all of the other disclosed protective enclosures.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A protective case for use with a portableelectronic device, the portable electronic device having first andsecond sections, wherein the first section of the portable electronicdevice pivots relative to the second section of the portable electronicdevice about a device hinge, the protective case comprising: an innercase member comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a hingeportion, wherein the first portion of the inner case member isconfigured to cover at least a portion of a back of the first section ofthe portable electronic device when the portable electronic device isinstalled in the protective case, wherein the second portion of theinner case member is configured to cover at least a portion of a back ofthe second section of the installed portable electronic device, whereinthe hinge portion of the inner case member connects the first and secondportions of the inner case member, wherein the hinge portion of theinner case member is configured to be in proximity to the device hingeof the installed portable electronic device, and wherein the hingeportion of the inner case member permits articulation of the firstportion of the inner case member relative to the second portion of theinner case member; a first outer shell member configured to be flexiblyattached over at least a portion of a back surface of the first portionof the inner case member, the first outer shell member comprising amaterial that is more rigid than a material of the inner case member;and a second outer shell member configured to be flexibly attached overat least a portion of a back surface of the second portion of the innercase member, the second outer shell member comprising a material that ismore rigid than the material of the inner case member.
 2. The protectivecase of claim 1 wherein the first portion, the second portion, and thehinge portion of the inner case member are integrally formed from a samematerial.
 3. The protective case of claim 1 wherein the portableelectronic device includes a bendable display screen which extendsbetween the pivoting first and second sections of the portableelectronic device and wherein the inner case member of the protectivecase is configured to frame a perimeter of the bendable display screenof the installed portable electronic device.
 4. The protective case ofclaim 1 further comprising a structural feature on the hinge portion ofthe inner case member, the structural feature configured to facilitatearticulation of the first portion of the inner case member relative tothe second portion of the inner case member.
 5. The protective case ofclaim 4 wherein the structural feature on the hinge portion of the innercase member comprises two or more channels in the hinge portion, the twoor more channels configured to extend parallel to the device hinge ofthe installed portable electronic device.
 6. The protective case ofclaim 4 wherein the structural feature on the hinge portion of the innercase member comprises two or more cutouts extending through the hingeportion.
 7. The protective case of claim 4 wherein the structuralfeature on the hinge portion of the inner case member comprises anaccordion structure.
 8. The protective case of claim 1 wherein the firstouter shell member includes two or more arms each configured to extendaround respective sides of the first portion of the inner case member.9. The protective case of claim 1 further comprising an openingconfigured for providing optical access to a camera of the installedportable electronic device.
 10. The protective case of claim 9 whereinthe opening is covered with a substantially transparent material. 11.The protective case of claim 1 wherein each of the first outer shellmember and the second outer shell member includes teeth configured toengage the other of the first and second outer shell member when theprotective case is in an open position.
 12. The protective case of claim1 wherein each of the first outer shell member and the second outershell member are configured to slide onto the inner case member fromopposite ends and in opposite directions.
 13. The protective case ofclaim 1 wherein the protective case is configured to flexibly extendaround a perimeter of the installed portable electronic device toremovably attach the protective case to the installed portableelectronic device.
 14. The protective case of claim 1 further comprisingan extendable stand member configured for holding the protective caseand the installed portable electronic device in a viewing position on asubstantially horizontal surface.
 15. A protective cover for use with aportable electronic device, the portable electronic device having firstand second sections, wherein the first section of the portableelectronic device pivots relative to the second section about a devicehinge, the protective cover comprising: an inner cover member comprisinga first portion, a second portion, and a hinge portion integrally formedfrom a same flexible material, wherein the first portion of the innercover member is adapted to cover at least a portion of a back of thefirst section of the portable electronic device when the portableelectronic device is installed in the protective cover, wherein thesecond portion of the inner cover member is adapted to cover at least aportion of a back of the second section of the installed portableelectronic device, wherein the hinge portion of the inner cover memberextends between the first and second portions of the inner cover member,wherein the hinge portion of the inner cover member is adapted to be inproximity to the device hinge of the installed portable electronicdevice, and wherein the hinge portion of the inner cover member includesa feature for facilitating articulation of the first portion of theinner cover member relative to the second portion of the inner covermember; a first outer shell member covering at least a portion of a backsurface of the first portion of the inner cover member, wherein thefirst outer shell member comprises a material that is more rigid thanthe flexible material of the inner cover member; and a second outershell member covering at least a portion of a back surface of the secondportion of the inner cover member, wherein the second outer shellcomprises a material that is more rigid than the flexible material ofthe inner cover member, and wherein the second outer shell member is notdirectly attached to the first outer shell member.
 16. The protectivecover of claim 15 wherein the feature of the inner cover member forfacilitating articulation of the inner cover member comprises two ormore cutouts in the inner cover member.
 17. The protective cover ofclaim 15 wherein the feature of the inner cover member for facilitatingarticulation of the inner cover member comprises two or more channels inthe hinge portion of the inner case member, the two or more channelsadapted to extend parallel to the device hinge of the installed portableelectronic device.
 18. The protective cover of claim 15 wherein at leastone of the first and the second outer shell member includes teethadapted engage the other of the first and the second outer shell memberwhen the protective cover is in an open position.
 19. A protective casefor use with a portable electronic device, the portable electronicdevice having first and second parts, wherein the first part of theportable electronic device articulates relative to the second part ofthe portable electronic device about a device hinge, the protective casecomprising: an inner case member comprising a first portion, a secondportion, and a hinge portion, wherein the first portion of the innercase member is configured to cover at least a portion of a back of thefirst part of the portable electronic device when the portableelectronic device is installed in the protective case, wherein thesecond portion of the inner case member is configured to cover at leasta portion of a back of the second part of the installed portableelectronic device, wherein the hinge portion of the inner case memberconnects the first portion of the inner case member to the secondportion of the inner case member, wherein the hinge portion of the innercase member is configured to be in proximity to the device hinge of theinstalled portable electronic device, and wherein the hinge portion ofthe inner case member is configured to permit articulation of the firstportion of the inner case member relative to the second portion of theinner case member in conjunction with the articulation of the installedportable electronic device; a first outer shell member configured tocover at least a portion of a back surface of the first portion of theinner case member, the first outer shell member comprising a materialthat is more rigid than a material of the inner case member; and asecond outer shell member configured to cover at least a portion of aback surface of the second portion of the inner case member, the secondouter shell member comprising a material that is more rigid than thematerial of the inner case member, wherein the protective case isremovably attachable to the portable electronic device and configured toflexibly extend around a perimeter of the installed portable electronicdevice.
 20. The protective case of claim 19 wherein the hinge portion ofthe inner case member includes at least one of the following featuresfor increasing the flexibility of the hinge portion of the inner casemember: a plurality of openings in the hinge portion of the inner casemember, and an accordion shaped structure in the hinge portion of theinner case member.